Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Enlistment with a Class C Charge

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Expert: - 12/25/2009


Question
I recently got stopped for a minor traffice violation and they found marijuana in my car. Changed to possession of drug paraphanalia... I know same thing, but nothing pending. 23 years old. 33 on ASVAB. High School and some college.
I was planning on joining Army as a career, but was told yesterday that they will not issue a waiver on this at this time.
My good friend is a NAVAL academy GRADUATE and says to try for the Marines.Do they have the same standards? I have  a letter from him and from other adults, pastor, etc. that I am of good moral standing. No problems in the past. I knew that someone hAD LEFT THE WEED IN MY CAR, but it got lost and I just never took the time to find it. Any advice?

Answer
Taylor:

  First, lose your current choice of friends.  Otherwise your career prospects will be slim indeed.    And do a complete and thorough search of your vehicle and where ever else your doper buddies have hung out, to ensure no other 'gifts' have been left behind.  The military has a ZERO tolerance for drug use and the fastest way to get discharged is to be caught with it.

  Typically, the Marines have higher standards than the army, however due to the economy all services are being far more selective than they have in the past.  It's possible they will enlist you but the only way to really find out is to check with a recruiter.

  If you have pending charges or are on probation/parole for any offense, no branch will enlist you until you are off probation or have a final adjudication to the charges.  

Jason

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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Jason Grabill

Expertise

Questions relating to US Marine Corps; rank, awards, uniforms, career choices. I can also help people spot and expose fakes (people pretending to be Marines or have awards they didn`t earn). Considering the Marines as a career? Or another branch, like the Air National Guard? Drop me a line. HOWever..know that I am NOT a recruiter. I can offer my expert opinion and advice, but can't (and won't) over rule what a recruiter says, they are the 'on duty' expert.

Experience

Infantry Rifleman, MOS 0311: 3 years. Marine Barracks Security (Marine Barracks, Annapolis, Maryland(not Embassy Duty): 3 years. Parachutist: MOS 9962: Got my wings in August of 1984. Intelligence Specialist: MOS 0231 10 years working as an Intelligence Analyst with a Fixed Wing Fighter Squadron, Force Service Support Group, and at Headquarters, Marine Corps. Field Radio Operator: MOS 2531. Served as a Platoon Sergeant in a Communications Platoon assigned to MEU Service Support Group 24 (Special Operations Capable). Did a hitch in the Army reserves as an 11B (Infantryman), 3 years. Finished out my career in the Air National Guard as a BioEnvironmental Engineer MOS 4B3X1, did that for a few years. I"ve been collecting and selling Marine Corps and other military uniforms, medals, and field gear since I was 8 years old.

Organizations
United States Marine Corps Logistical Company.

Publications
I was an Editorial writer for Marine Corps Times from 1998-2000.

Education/Credentials
Extensive library of research materials relating to uniforms, medals, and equipment of the military and the Marine Corps. 22 College credits, Community College of the Air Force. Certified Historical Interpreter.

Awards and Honors
Kosovo Campaign Medal w/1 star Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 4 stars. Numerous other unit awards. I was on duty on 9/11 at HQMC, near the Pentagon, and responded to that location to try and lend a hand if needed...

Past/Present Clients
United States Marine Corps Historical Company, Guardian Security and Investigations, lead Investigator for 'Stolen Valor' cases.

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